dslr video

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If you're looking for a lightweight setup to send your HD feed wirelessly, Camera Motion Research has released a new Mini Back Bone for their Radian Pro Wireless HD Video Transmitter. The backbone itself is more compact in design, is now made from Delrin instead of metal, and also includes a lighter more compact battery. Aside from being used with the Radian transmitter, these backbones can be used with Paralinx, IDX-Cw-1, and Nyrius Aries Pro transmitters.

Product Description:
The mini TX Backbone requested by customers wanting the smallest and lightest transmitter package with self-contained power is now available. The mini TX Backbone is made from machined delrin , and our chrome plated spring steel battery clip. It has two ¼-20 mounting holes. The MINI TX Backbone uses a smaller lithium battery that powers the transmitter for over 3 hours. The battery has an on/off switch , and a very accurate digital display of remaining % power, that indicates both during powering, and during charging. The MINI TX BackBone kit ships with one battery, USB power cable, anodized aluminum thumb stud and hot shoe mount for an introductory price of $99. Additional batteries are $25 (visit website here).

Radian Pro Mini TX Backbone
find-price-button CMR Radian Pro Mini TX Backbone

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I thought i'd test out how well I have things balanced out with the GH4 and Rokinon 7.5mm Fisheye Lens. A few notes - the Rokinon lens is a manual lens with no image stabilization and although parts of this video have been sped up, there is absolutely no image stabilization applied. I'm also holding the gimbal only by it's Top handle. As I reach speeds up to 20mph there is plenty of wind resistance. Considering these factors - I think it faired well.

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By now you've all probably heard about Panasonic's latest DMC-FZ1000 4K capable Bridge point-and-shoot camera with a 16X HYBRID O.I.S. 5-Axis Image Stabilized Zoom lens. There is definitely some amazing features packed into this camera, enough to maybe have Sony RX10 owners thinking about an upgrade.

Aside from the amazing quality i'm sure we'll get from Panasonic the bright F/2.8-4.0 lens should be good in low light and help defocus the background. I'm also happy to see they didn't leave out the microphone input. Seems like a great all around camera for run-gun coverage or for travel.

At 4K (UHD) resolution you're limited to just 30fps, but at 1080p you have 24, 30, and 60fps great for slo-mo. Additionally, high speed video recording is possible with sensor output frame rates of 120 fps, 240 fps, and 360 fps (at lower resolutions). At this time not many cameras can record directly to SD media cards, especially under $1K so I think Panasonic has another winner here. Long list of features over at the B&H product page (click here).

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ1000 Digital Camerapanasonic_dmc_fz1000k_lumix_dmc_fz1000_digital_camera_1057135
find-price-button Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ1000 4K 16X OIS Zoom Compact Camera

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Cinegear 2014 - Varavon displays a finished version of the new Armor Cage for Panasonic GH3 / GH4 cameras.

The cage fits fairly snug around the camera body, wrapping around menu buttons for easy access, and is cut out to allow full articulation of the LCD screen, access to battery door, and media slot. For keeping the HDMI in place, there is a small bracket to pinch the the HDMI cable from being accidentally pulled off. A removable top handle and hand strap are also included in the kit.

gh3 gh4 exterrnal batterygh3 gh4 armor varavon 15mm rails cage
Optional External Battery and 15mm Rail Base Mount

Varavon is also offering optional accessories such as an external battery pack, and 15mm Rail Base that attaches under the cage. Available now for $270 and more information at the Varavon website (here).

Varavon Armor Cage FH3 GH4
find-price-button Varavon Armor Cage for Panasonic GH3 / GH4 Cameras

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Cinegear 2014 - Rodney with Dracast showcases new Fresnel lighting using high quality CREE LEDs. According to the product page, the new fresnel series carries a high 95 CRI rating.

Product Description:
The Dracast LED FRESNEL Series is the newest release in the Dracast product line, and it’s arriving with a bang. The Dracast FRESNEL Series is designed using our MASM (Multi Arrary Surface Mount) LED technology. MASM uses an array of perfectly balanced high-output surface mount LED chips, and fits them into an ultra-focused lens housing. This creates tremendous light output with virtually flawless color consistency. Adding to this a virtually silent active fan cooling system, and the Dracast FRESNEL Series is poised to be a game changer.

For more information about the new Dracast LED Fresnel Series visit the Dracast website (here).

Dracase LED Fresnel CREE LED bi colorDracast LED Fresnel Lighting
find-price-button Dracast High CRI LED FRESNEL Series

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As I continue to fiddle with the new 32 Bit CAME 7000 Gimbal, I spent several hours tweaking the system these past two days until I found some settings that worked best for me. Here's an example of how stable my profile is thus far.

Now that I have this project up and running, I'm comfortable enough to start sharing more of the build process. The first series of videos to be uploaded are just my version of the basic assembly. You don't need to wait on me since coincidentally CAME-TV.com has already uploaded their own version of building this gimbal found at their product page (here).

For those who already have their systems assembled and looking for a good Canon 5D gimbal profile, maybe mine will help you get close as you start out. Remember that balancing your gimbal is the most important thing before you start it up. You can download my CAME 7000 32 Bit Gimbal PID Settings (here).

[NOTE:] CAME-TV.com has provided three different profiles for use with their new 7000 3 Axis Gimbal. I tried the profiles, but ended up just creating my own from scratch. Your results may be different and if you want to give this a go, you can download the new 32-Bit Gimbal Profiles (found here).

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Just a few months ago at NAB2014, Varavon showed off their new BirdyCam 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer. Pricing was estimated to be under $2K at release, but at Cinegear this past weekend they've announced a slight jump in price to now $2300.

So why the slight increase in price? Well as far as build quality, they've made some improvements along with upgrading the entire system with a 32 bit controller (instead of 8 bit shown at NAB). At Cinegear the final product worked amazingly, and you can check out the video below as they demonstrate it's stability. (note: handles on final version will be finished in black)

Compared to other products, the appeal of the Varavon Birdycam gimbal is the tool-less frame design in which you can easily dial in a camera's balance.

Varavon Birdy Cam 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer Varavon Birdy Cam Gimbal Stabilizer

The top handle attaches via a standard divetail (quick release) to mount the gimbal to a jib, crane, or cable cam keeping you camera stable while offering options to operating Pan/Tilt remotely. The Varavon BirdyCam will also include it's own stand and a carrying case - a major convenience for any Gimbal.

Birdycam Packing ListVaravon Birdycam case
find-price-button Varavon BirdyCam 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer - PreOrders Save $300 off

I've seen quite a few gimbals at both NAB and Cinegear, and so far no other "Ready-To-Run" 3 Axis gimbal system capable of flying a 5D Mark III for under $2400 dollars has impressed me more than the Varavon BirdyCam.

Here's a bit of better news. Pre-orders are open now and first units should begin shipping on July 1st. All pre-orders will receive a $300 dollar discount, so you can still pick it up for the price quoted at NAB2014. For Pre-Orders and for more information visit the BirdyCam product page (found here).

varavon birdycam pre-orderpreorder birdycam varavon 3 axis gimbal stabilizer
find-price-button Varavon BirdyCam 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer - PreOrder Now

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Over at Cinegear 2014 in Hollywood, Libec reminds us to join the ALLEX 'Show Us Your Moves' Video Contest. There is absolutely no reason not to enter this contest, especially since Libec equipment is NOT required for your submission.

It's basically a less than one minute video showing off creative camera movements in your story. Actually, since the contest states you can submit an Instagram or Vine video clip, you're talking about a less than 15 second video!

Use a Crane, Slider, Dolly, Steadicam, Multi-copter, wheelchair, cable cam, balloon, DIY PVC stabilizer, or skateboard - it's all up to you to show off your creative camera movements. Libec is offering up 5 different prizes to 5 total winners, so check out the Libec ALLEX 'Show Us Your Moves' Video Contest (found here).

Libec ALLEX Show Your Moves Contest
Libec ALLEX 'Show Us Your Moves' Video Contest

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Michael writes in and shares a clever and affordable set of rails that make mounting accessories to your rig a whole lot easier. Threaded mounts are available across the rod for adding ball heads, friction arms, cold shoe adapters, etc.

15mm cheese rail rod dslr video rig
find-price-button 15mm Cheese Rod Rails for Video Rigs

Despite having threaded mounts running across most of the rail, these rods maintain an OD (outside diameter) of 15mm throughout. This means that you can continue to use a follow focus, mattebox, or anything else with a 15mm clamp on any part of the rail without compromise.

Available in either a 6" single 15mm rail, 6" dual 15mm rails, or a rail kit with an extension adapter to stack them together for longer lengths (found here)

15mm cheese rod rail mounting threaded15mm cheese rod rail extension kit
find-price-button 15mm Cheese Rod Rails for Video Rigs